What is the general strategy for pheno hunting?

  • Thread starter derekdakid
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derekdakid

derekdakid

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I ordered a pack of Seed Junky Cake Crasher seeds (non feminized) yesterday and I'm planning on doing a pheno hunt but was wondering what the overall differences between a pheno hunt grow vs a production grow are. I have read on the internet that the general differences would be
  1. Use smaller pots, such as 1 gallon or 1/2 gallon pots (I plan on using smart 1 gallon fabric pots)
  2. Veg for a shorter amount of time, say 4 weeks
  3. Right before flipping into flower, cut clones
  4. Make sure clones root first then start the flowering process on the mothers
  5. After flowering the mothers, choose keeper phenos
There are still a few points that are unclear to me and was hoping you guys might help me answer the following
  • Is it recommended or even worth it to train these plants in veg (mainlining, scrog)?
  • Will 10 plants fit comfortably in a 5x5 grow tent for pheno hunting
  • Is there any other helpful information/tips/tricks that I'm missing when it comes to pheno hunting?

Thanks for the read hope you guys can offer some input. This is only my third grow and this gear is fairly expensive so I just want to make sure I'm equipped with the right information
 
growsince79

growsince79

9,065
313
I ordered a pack of Seed Junky Cake Crasher seeds (non feminized) yesterday and I'm planning on doing a pheno hunt but was wondering what the overall differences between a pheno hunt grow vs a production grow are. I have read on the internet that the general differences would be
  1. Use smaller pots, such as 1 gallon or 1/2 gallon pots (I plan on using smart 1 gallon fabric pots)
  2. Veg for a shorter amount of time, say 4 weeks
  3. Right before flipping into flower, cut clones
  4. Make sure clones root first then start the flowering process on the mothers
  5. After flowering the mothers, choose keeper phenos
There are still a few points that are unclear to me and was hoping you guys might help me answer the following
  • Is it recommended or even worth it to train these plants in veg (mainlining, scrog)?
  • Will 10 plants fit comfortably in a 5x5 grow tent for pheno hunting
  • Is there any other helpful information/tips/tricks that I'm missing when it comes to pheno hunting?

Thanks for the read hope you guys can offer some input. This is only my third grow and this gear is fairly expensive so I just want to make sure I'm equipped with the right information
Whats the purpose of the pheno hunt? Are you looking for the best yield or something else. I always grow small plants for hunting and production.
 
derekdakid

derekdakid

18
3
Whats the purpose of the pheno hunt? Are you looking for the best yield or something else. I always grow small plants for hunting and production.

I'm aiming for best yield, terpene profile, bag appeal, and overall hardiness. What's the reasoning behind growing small plants for hunting? Is it so we can maximize the number of plants whose phenotypes we can observe?
 
MIMedGrower

MIMedGrower

17,190
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I feel different about this. I think plants need to veg til maturity and then grow into the best flowers they can be. Little plants never reach the potential of mature ones imo.

So I just reveg a cutting off my favorite plants in flower when I know what I have. I have rooted cuts up to week 11 now. I showed pics of little budded clones reveging in my thread and in threads.
 
growsince79

growsince79

9,065
313
I'm aiming for best yield, terpene profile, bag appeal, and overall hardiness. What's the reasoning behind growing small plants for hunting? Is it so we can maximize the number of plants whose phenotypes we can observe?
For me yes.
 
growsince79

growsince79

9,065
313
I'm aiming for best yield, terpene profile, bag appeal, and overall hardiness. What's the reasoning behind growing small plants for hunting? Is it so we can maximize the number of plants whose phenotypes we can observe?
I grow in a small space. If I grew big plants it would be one at a time. I find my small plants have the exact same flavor and potency as their older clones. I can grow 6 little plants and pick the best clone, and know in 3 months which one is best. If I did big plants it would only be a couple plants each year to choose from.
 
derekdakid

derekdakid

18
3
@growsince79 Sounds like I might have to adopt your strategy as I definitely want to get as many plants as I can to see as many phenos as I can. Do you notice the nugs from the small plants have the same size/structure/look as the ones from the older/bigger ones?
 
growsince79

growsince79

9,065
313
@growsince79 Sounds like I might have to adopt your strategy as I definitely want to get as many plants as I can to see as many phenos as I can. Do you notice the nugs from the small plants have the same size/structure/look as the ones from the older/bigger ones?
Exact same in my experience. Some good growers disagree and others agree. Do it yourself and see what you think. These were flipped 14 days from sprout.
 
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growsince79

growsince79

9,065
313
I feel different about this. I think plants need to veg til maturity and then grow into the best flowers they can be. Little plants never reach the potential of mature ones imo.

So I just reveg a cutting off my favorite plants in flower when I know what I have. I have rooted cuts up to week 11 now. I showed pics of little budded clones reveging in my thread and in threads.
A friend is revegging his best plant from last October. Its a tree now and just flipped. I can't do that in my tiny space.
 
dire wolf

dire wolf

4,921
263
I ordered a pack of Seed Junky Cake Crasher seeds (non feminized) yesterday and I'm planning on doing a pheno hunt but was wondering what the overall differences between a pheno hunt grow vs a production grow are. I have read on the internet that the general differences would be
  1. Use smaller pots, such as 1 gallon or 1/2 gallon pots (I plan on using smart 1 gallon fabric pots)
  2. Veg for a shorter amount of time, say 4 weeks
  3. Right before flipping into flower, cut clones
  4. Make sure clones root first then start the flowering process on the mothers
  5. After flowering the mothers, choose keeper phenos
There are still a few points that are unclear to me and was hoping you guys might help me answer the following
  • Is it recommended or even worth it to train these plants in veg (mainlining, scrog)?
  • Will 10 plants fit comfortably in a 5x5 grow tent for pheno hunting
  • Is there any other helpful information/tips/tricks that I'm missing when it comes to pheno hunting?

Thanks for the read hope you guys can offer some input. This is only my third grow and this gear is fairly expensive so I just want to make sure I'm equipped with the right information
Hey Derek , I also have some input , first of all good for you , pheno hunting to me is one of the most rewarding practices in growing .....
Let's look at your other choices , auto flower ? Not my thing ....let's say it's the easy passionless way to grow , good for those that do it , but to fully immerse in the plant and its beauty you gotta pay your dues
Next , feminized seed .....ok not bad , but that's someone else's work , you believe in them , trust the choices they made to provide you the greatest plant of the decade ... Great , go for it , but again there's no personal involvement...

Clones , also great , as long as you trust , that's a big word , trust who you are getting the clones from , are they what the seller or friend say they are ? Does h/ she even know ?

Ok , pay big bucks ...200? 300? For a prized clone ..it can be worth it , but your robbing yourself of the joy of pheno hunting your own queen .....

And let's say someone offered you a date with a supermodel , but she had ten sisters to choose from , yea the supermodel would be great , but maybe one of her sisters has some other qualities that better match your desire, same with pheno hunting ....go out there , be proud of the girl you find and how she suits your desire
I LOVE THE PHENOHUNT.......

And when you pull it off , it's yours , you go sell the clones or keep them or give them away ...

And to help if I humbly can answer some of your initial questions ,
 
dire wolf

dire wolf

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263
Answers
1- use whatever size pots you want it has nothing to do with a pheno hunt
2- veg for however long you want , I would probably go more than 4 weeks from seed , as to insure good clone sites to cut multiple clones
3- this one I totally disagree with , don't cut clones right before flipping , what if they don't catch , then what ? Cut your clones and wait till they root in ten days , then flip , that way if they don't root you have another shot at pulling more clones , so wait till you see roots on your clones then flip, otherwise you'll be pissed if your choice plant is grown and you don't have any clones

Oh shit I didn't read # 4 ......whoever wrote those steps shouldn't have written # 3 and wasted my time answering

So ignore number 3 rule on your list

You don't have to train the plants , the goal is to get your clones going and training will take more time ...up to you
Not a horrible idea but not really relevant , I will say that I do top my plants or fimm before I take clones , but I'm not in a hurry , so yea actually topping or fimming is a good idea

10 plants will easily work in the space you described
 
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